Baffle and drip pan for refrigerators



April'26, 1932. J. w. VANCE BAFFLE AND DRIP PAN FOR REFRIGERATORS Filed Aug. 3, 1951 r 2 TM 0 e & N 7 5v 7 s ML my .WW J

Patented Apr. 26, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JACOB WESLEY VANCE, OF LIGONIER, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO HUSSIAN-LIGONIEB COMPANY, OF 8'1. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION 01 DELAWARE BAIFLE AND DRIP PAN FOR REFRIGERATOR Application filed August a, 1931. Serial No. 554,621.

This invention relates generally to refrig erators, particularly of the type known S refrigerated display cases and more specifically to battles and drip pans for refrigerators of this ty e, the predominant ob]ect of the invention being to provide a baflie and drip pan structure of such improved construction and such unique arrangement within a refrigerator that the refrigerator will perform its function in a more eflicient manner than heretofore.

Prior to this invention refrigerated display cases and similar refrigerating structures of the type having mechanical refrigerating units associated therewith have been provided with structures which served as combined baflies and drip ans. These structures were located imme iately adjacent to the refrigerating units in such manner that they served the dual purpose of controlling the course of the circulating air within the refrigerators so as to cause said air to pass properly in close proximity to the refrigerating unit, and acting as a shed for Water which dripped from the refrigerating units when same were defrosted. It is desirable that the drip pans referred to be so arranged that water which falls thereon will be conducted toward one or both ends of the refrigerated case, and in carrying out this arrangement the drip pans heretofore used have frequently been inclined downwardly toward one or both ends thereof. While such arrangement functioned with some efficiency, it was found to be undesirable in that the inclined drip pans of this type occupied more space within the refrigerating structure than was necessary.

In view of theforegoing, 'I have devised the improved bafiie and drip pan structure disclosed herein which, briefly stated, comprises a pair of overlapping walls inclined toward the center of the refrigerating structure and arranged in spaced vertical relation.

The edges of the walls referred to are not arranged parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the casing of the refrigerating structure, but instead said edges are inclined slightly in opposite directions with respect to said axis. The lowermostof the overlapis eliminated, whereby the loss of space formerly suffered because of the presence of such downwardly inclined portion of the drip pan structures is saved.

The advantages inherent in the use of-my improved structure, in addition to those referred to above, are that the defrost water is quickly disposed of before it freezes, and the cold air is deflected toward the opposite ends of the casing of the refrigerating structure where the temperature is usually higher. Also, as will presently appear, wider ducts for the circulating air are provided, whereby increased circulation of the air over the refrigerating unit is realized.

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary section illustrating my improved-baflie and drip panstructure in association with the upper portion of a refrigerating structure. 7

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on a eatly reduced scale taken on .line 2-2 of ig. 1.

in the drawings wherein is shown for the, purpose of illustration, merely, one embodiment of the invention, A designates the easing of a refrigerating structure of any suitable construction, the particular refrigerating structure illustrated comprising a structure of the type known as a refrigerated display case which includes a wall produced by layers B of transparent material through which the contents of the case may be viewed. Arranged within the casing A, preferably in the upper portion thereof,-is a refrigerating unit C of any suitable construction, said refrigerating unit being supported by suitprovided with an upstanding ing water to flow toward opposite ends of] the casing of the refrigerating structure the casing A. Preferably the portions 1 able brackets, the reference character D in Fig. 1.

Arranged immediately beneath and at opposite sides of the refrigerating unit C is my improved baflie and drip pan structure, said structure comprising an shaped element 1 and a somewhat similarly shaped element 2. The element a substantially vertically disposed portion 1 and a portion 1" which is inclined downwardly from the lower portion of the vertical portion 1 toward the transverse center 0;

an 1 of the element 1 vcomprise parts of an integral structure, said portions 1 and 1" being composed of inner structures formed of suitable insulating material 3, and these inner structures are enclosed within a covering 4 of sheet metal or other suitable material. The covering 4 referred to comprises one section 4 which is shaped and formed so as to be provided with portions which contact with the outer face of the portion 1 and the lower face of the portion 1" of the element 1. Also, portions of the section 4 of the covering 4 contact with the topedge of the portion 1 of the element 1, the inner edge of the portion 1", and the edges of the portions 1" and l 'located at opposite ends of the element 1.

The covering 4 referred to includes a second section 4 which is shaped and formed so as to be provided with portions which contact with the inner face of the portion 1" of the element 1 and with the upper face of the portion 1 thereof. At the top of the portion 1' of the element 1 the section 4 of the covering 4 is provided with an upturned portion 5, which is embraced by a properly shaped portion of the section 4 of the covering to provide an upstanding flange 6. Also, at the inner end of the portion 1 of the ele vment 1 the section 4 of the covering 4 is extend inwardly .55

' allel with respect to provided with an extension 7 which is inclined downwardly slightly with respect to the plane of said portion 1", and a properly shaped portion of the section 4" of the covering embraces said extension to provide a downwardly inclined lip 8. The covering 4 is secured in place about the inner structures of the ortions 1 and 1 in any suitable and convenient manner to produce a unitary construction, and also flange portions 9 are located at opposite ends of the element 1 which from the portion 1* and upwardly from the portion 1 thereof. An extremelyimportant feature of the invention resides 'inthe fact that the inner edge of the portion 1 of the element 1 is not parthe longitudinal axis of the casing A. This is quite apparent in Fig. 2 wherein it will be seen that said edge is inclined inwardly and forwardly from alined points on opposite ends of the element 1 to a point at the approximate longitudinal center of the element. It is obvious, of

one of which is designated by angularly 1 comprises 2 the portion of the section 10 course, that the lip 8 follows the inclinations of the inner edge of the portion 1".

The element 2 of the improved baflie and drip pan struct re includes a portion 2 which is disposedina substantially vertical position, and a portion 2 which is inclined inwardly and downwardly from the lower end of the portion 2 toward the center of the casing A. As in the case of the element 1, the element 2 is comprised suitable insulating structure is enclosed of an inner structure formed 0 material, and this inner within a covering 10 of sheet metal or other suitable material. The covering 10 includes a section 10 which is shaped and formed so as to be provided with portions which contact with the outer faceof the portion 2 and the lower face of the portion 2". Also, the section 10' of the covering 10 is provided with portions which contact with the top edge of the portion 2 of the element 2, with the inner edge of portion 2 of said element, and with the edges of the portions 2 and 2 at the opposite ends of the element 2. The covering 10 includes also a section 10 which is so shaped and formed as to be provided with portions which contact with the inner face of the portion 2 and the upper face of the portion 2 of the element 2. i p

At the upper edge of the portion 2 of the element 2 the section 10 of the covering 10 is provided with an upwardly extended flange 11 which is embraced by a properly shaped portion of the section 10 of said covering to provide an upstanding flange 12. Also, at the lower edge of the portion 2 of the element of the covering 10 which contacts with said lower edge of said portion 2 is extended upwardly beyond the top face of the portion 2 to provide an extension 13 which is embraced by a properly shaped portion of the section 10 of the covering 10 to provide an upstanding lip 14 which is arranged at a substantial right angle with respect to the plane of the portion 2 of the element 2.

It is extremely important to note that the lower edge of the portion 2 of the element 2 is not parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the casing A. Instead this edgeis substantially parallel with respect to the corresponding edge of the portion 1 of the element 1. In other words, the lower edge of the portion 2" of the element 2 is inclined outwardly and downwardly from a point at the approximate longitudinal center of said edge in opposite directions to alined points at the opposite ends of said portion 2 of said element 2. The upstanding lip 14 which is located at the lower edge of the portion 2 of the element 2, of course, follows the inclinations referred to. At the opposite ends of the portions 2" and 2 of the element 2, said element is provided with flange portions 15 which extend inwardly and upwardly from the said portions 2 and 2", and the covering 10 of which said flange portions form parts is secured in place about the inner insulating structure thereof in any suitable and convenient manner to produce a unitary struc ture.

It will be noted that the top edges of the upstanding flanges 6 and 12 associated with above and in overlapping relation with re spect to the corresponding -end portion of the portion 2 of the element 2. This arrangement provides a passageway 17, through which cold air may move as it passes downwardly from the refrigerating unit C to the lower portion of the casing A.

The elements 1 and 2 of the improved baffie and drip pan structure have .associated therewith supporting members 18 which embrace portions of said elements 1 and 2 and are secured thereto. Also, a bracket structure 19 is provided which is secured within the casing A and to which the supportingmembers 1.8 are fixed, whereby the baffle and drip pan structure is supported within said casing A. At the opposite ends of the portion 2 of the element 2 at points adjacent to the upstanding lip 14 I provide conductors 20 which are open at the top face of said portion 2", whereby water will drain from the surface of said portion 2 into said conductors and be conducted thereby to points of disposition thereof. 7 A

In the use of a refrigerator'equipped with my improved bafile and drip pan structure, the warmer portions of circulating airwithin said refrigerator will pass upwardly over the tops of the portions 1 and 2 of the elements 1 and2 where the proximity of the refrigerating uni't G will cool the air. Such cooling of the air will cause same to move downwardly through the passageway 17 tothe lower portion of the refrigerator casing.

As the downwardly moving air passes through the passageway 17 it will encounter the lip 14, and because of the inclined arrangement of said lip in opposite directions, much of the air will be caused to move toward the opposite ends ofthe casing of the refrigerator where the temperature is usually higher. The air will continue to move downward ly in the refrigerator casing until increase of temperature thereof causes it to rise. when it will again pass over the course described.

When the refrigerating unit 0 is being dc frosted and water falls therefrom, such water will fall upon the upper surfaces of the portions 1 and 2" of the elements 1 and 2.. The

water falling on the portion 1 of the element 1 will flow down the inclined surface thereof and will be discharged on the inclined surface of the portion 2" of the element 2. This water, together with the water which falls directly on the surface of the portion 2", will flow down the inclined surface of said.

portion 2 until it reaches the upstanding lip 14, whereupon said water will follow the longitudinally inclined lip in opposite directions to the opposite ends of the portion 2, where the'water will pass into the open end of the conductors 20- by which said water will be conducted to points of distribution thereof.

-While I have described the portion 2 of theelement 2 as having an edge which is incllned in opposite directions, it is obvious that this edge and the upstanding lip associated therewith may be inclined in one direction only, in which event all of the water falling on said portion will be discharged at one end thereof.- I

'I claim:

1. A drip pan for a refrigerator, comprising a'wall adapted for disposition in a downwardly inclined position beneath the refrigerating unit ofthe refrigerator, said wall being provided with an edge atits lower portion which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of said wall, and an upwardly extended lip at said inclined edge for directing water toward an end of said wall.

2. A drippan for a refrigerator, comprising'a wall adapted for disposition in a downwardly inclined position beneath the refrigerating unit of the refrigerator, said wall being provided with an edge at its lower portion which is inclined with respect to the; longitudinal axis of said wall, an upwardly extended lip at said inclined edge for directing wat'ertoward an end of said wall, and

means for conducting water away from said wall.

3'. A drip pan for a refrigerator, comprising a wall adapted for disposition in a downwardly inclined position beneath the refrigerating unit oftherefrigerator, said wall being provided with an edge at its lower portion which inclined with respect to tin longitudinal axis of said wall in opposite di-. rections from its longitudinal center toward the opposite ends of the wall, and an up wardly extended lip at said oppositely in- T clined edge for directing water toward the opposite -ends of said wall.

- {1. A drip-pan for a refrigerator, comprising a wall adapted for disposition in a downwardly inclined position beneath the refrigerating unit of the refrigerator, saidwall being provided with an edge at its lower longitudinal'axis of said wall in opposite directions from its longitudinal center toward the opposite ends of the wall, an upwardly extended lip at said oppositely inclined edge for directing water toward the opposite ends of said wall, and means for conducting waportion which isinclined with respect to the tending lip at said inclined edge for directter away from the opposite ends of the wall.

5. A drip pan'for a' refrigerator, comprising a'wall adapted for dispositionin a downwardly inclined position beneath the refrigerating unit of the refrigerator, said wall being provided with an edge at its lower por tion which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of said wall, an upwardly exing water toward an end of said wall, means for conducting water away from said wall, anda baflle associated with said drip pan adapted to assist in controlling circulation of air which moves in proximity tothe refrigerating unit of the refrigerator.

6.. A drip pan for a refrigerator, comprising a wall adapted for disposition in a downwardly inclined position beneath the :efrigerating unit of the refrigerator, said wall being provided with an edge at its lower portion which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of said wall, an upwardly extending lip at said inclined edge for directing water toward an end of said.

wall, means for conducting water away from said wall, .anda vertically disposed bafile associated with said drip pan adapted to assist in controlling circulation of air which moves in proximity to the refrigerating unit of the i-efrigerator.-

7. "A drip pan for a refrigerator, including a wall adapted for disposition in a downwardly inclined position beneath the refrigerating unit of the refrigerator, said wall being provided with an edge at its lower portion which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of said wall, an upwardly extended lip at said inclined edge for directing water toward an end of said wall, and a second downwardly inclined wall arranged above the first-mentioned wall and arranged in such manner that its lower portion is spaced above and is in overlapping relation withthe lower portion of said firstmentioned wall.

8. A drip pan for a refrigerator, including a wall adapted for disposition in a downwardly inclined position beneath the refrigerating unit of the refrigerator, said wall being provided with an edge at its lower portion which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of said wall, an upwardly extended lip at said inclined edge for directing water towardan end of said wall, and a second downwardly inclined wall arranged above the first-mentioned wall and arranged in such' manner that its lower portion is spaced above and is in overlapping relation with the lower portion of said first-mentioned wall, the second-mentioned inclined wall having an edge at its lower portion which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of said wall.

A drippan for a refrigerator, including a wall adapted for disposition in a downwardly inclined position beneath the refrigerating unit of the refrigerator, said well being provided with an edge at its lower portion which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of said wall, an upwardly extended lip at said inclined edge for directing water toward an end of said wall, and a second downwardly inclined wall arranged above the first-mentioned wall and arranged in such manner that its lower portion is spaced above and is in overlappin relation with the lower portion of said rstmentioned wall, the second-mentioned inclined wall havingan edge at its lower portion which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of-said wall so as to be in parallelism with the inclined lower edge of said first-mentioned wall.

10. A drip pan for a refrigerator, including a wall adapted for disposition in a downwardly inclined position beneath the refrigerating unit of the refrigerator, said wall being provided with an edge atits lower portion whichis inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of said wall, an upwardly extended lip at said inclined edge for directing water toward an end of said wall, a second downwardly inclined wall arranged above the first-mentioned wall and arranged in such manner that its lower portion is spaced above and'is'in overlapping relation with the lower portion of said first-mentioned wall, and baflles associated with the first and second-mentioned walls adapted'to assist in controlling circulation of air which moves in proximity to the refrigerating unit of the refri erator.

11. A rip pan for a refrigerator, including a wall adapted for disposition in a downwardly inclined position beneath the refrigerating unitof the refrigerator, said wall being provided with an edge at its lower portion which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of said wall, an upwardly extended lip at said inclined edge for directing water-toward an end of said wall, a' second downwardly inclined wall arranged above the first-mentioned wall and arranged in such manner that its lower portion is spaced above and is in overlapping relation with the lower portion of said first-mentioned wall, and'ineans for conducting. wa-

. ter away from the first-mentioned wall.

.chned wall,

' with the 'inga site directionslrith respect that its lower portion is spaced aboveand is in overlapping relation with the lower portion of said first-mentioned wall.

13. A dri pan for a refrigerator, including a wall a apted for disposition in a downwardly inclined position beneath the refrigerating unit of the re 'gerator, said wall ing provided with an edge at its lower ortion which is inclined in opposite dlrections with respect to the longitudinal axis of said wall, an upwardly extended lip at said inclined edge for directing water toward an end of said wall, and a second downwardly inclined wall arranged abovethe first-mentioned wall and arranged in such manner that its lower portion is spaced above and is in overlapping relation with the lower portionof said first-mentioned wall, the secondmentioned inclined wall having an edge at its lower portion which is inclined in op site directions with respect tothe longitudinal axis of said wall.

14. A drip pan for a refrigerator, including a wall adapted for dis osition in a downwardly inclined position erating unit of the refrigerator, said wall being provided with an edge at its lower rtion which is inclined in opposite directions with respect to the longitudinal axis of said wall, an upwardl extended lip at said ,inclined edge for directing water toward an end of sa1d wall, a second downwardly inarranged above the first-mentioned wall and arranged in that its lower portion is spaced above and is in overlapp' relation with the lower portion of said -mentioned wall, the second-mentioned inclined w ll. ha an edge at its lower portion which is inclin in opposite directions with respect to the longitudinal axis of said wall, and baflles associated and second-mentioned walls adapted to assist in controlling the circulation of air refrigerating unit of the re gerator.

15. A dri pan for a refrigerator, includwall ad aptedfor wardly inclined position crating unit of the re r, said wall being provided with an at its lower rtion which is inclined in o posite directions with respect to thelongitusmal eath the refrig-' clined edge for mater toward an end of and wall, a'second neath the refrigardlg dedli axis(i'fdsa'dd I upw patsai'lm" downwardly ined to assist in controlling the circulation of air which moves in roximity to the refrigeratin unit of there rigerator, and means for con ucting water away from opposite ends of the first-mentioned wall.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I hereunto aflix'lny signature.

- J. WESLEY VANCE.

which moves in gjroximity to the tion m a down- 7 chned wall arranged above the first-mentioned wall and arranged that its lower portion is in overlap ing tion of said first-mentioned aced wall, the secondrelation with the lower por- I mentioned inclined wall having an edge at i Y its lower portionwhichis inclined in oppo-' to the lon 'tudinal axis of said wall, bafllesassocia with the first and second-mentioned walls adapt- 

